Atlas Oil Company has closed on 23 BP-branded retail assets acquired from BP in the Northwest Indiana market area, the company said.
The sites include a number of retail locations owned by BP, several dealer-supplied sites and an agreement for Atlas to operate a number of sites on the Indiana Toll Road.
Eight of the 23 retail sites have been transitioned to Atlas, while the remaining sites will be transitioned within the next three days.
Bill Shaver, Atlas Oil’s executive vice president of marketing in Indiana, said that BP management repeatedly told Atlas throughout the process how professional and thorough – and occasionally tough – they were, recognition the company has expressed pride in.
“Utilizing BP’s fuel brand and the ampm franchise program allows Atlas to further build upon our reputation in the marketing areas in which we supply and operate,” said Sam Simon, Atlas Oil Company’s CEO.
Atlas operates the sites from its South Bend, Ind., operations office. Atlas currently caters to seven brands and supplies more than 300 retail locations in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois.
The company announced its strategic relationship with BP in December 2007 when it began branding multiple locations to the BP brand following its acquisition of R&J Oil Company.
“This expansion with BP is exactly what we’ve been working toward since we became a BP Jobber in 2007,” Simon said. “We are excited to continue to grow with BP and the ampm franchise and our best days are still ahead.”
Regarding the toll road sites, ITR Concession Co. said Atlas has taken over the operations for six BP fuel stations that are located on the Indiana Toll Road.
The travel plazas serve customers via restaurants, fuel stations and convenience stores.
Atlas said customers wouldn’t notice an immediate difference from the BP operations at these fuel stations, though basic aesthetic improvements are planned to better serve patrons.
“We are excited to continue to grow with BP and our best days are still ahead,” Simon said.
In another bit of news, Atlas Oil said the State of Michigan Motor Carrier Division conducted an intensive Department of Transportation (DOT) audit over the past several days, and the results concluded that Atlas received a “Satisfactory” rating – the highest of three ratings possible.
The investigator commented positively on the condition and maintenance of Atlas’ trucks, security plan and the excellent condition of the drivers’ files.
Atlas also had a DOT Compliance Audit at its Indiana location over the summer where it received a “Satisfactory” rating.
“Not only are our customers our top concern, but, so are our people and their safety,” Simon said.